Southern Rail owners must make passengers their first priority

Southern Rail is owned by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), who in turn are co-owned by the much larger company Go-Ahead. This means that Go-Ahead has a share of responsibility for the dismal service that Southern Rail now offers.

Go-Ahead has today reported an increase in profits of £99.8 million for this year. Its Chief Executive has been offered a substantial bonus and pay increase, though he has turn it down.

The appalling service from Southern Rail has just cost the tax payer £20 million so that the Government can step in and fix it. For Go-Ahead to be reporting profits that are up by nearly £100 million is absolute proof that they urgently need to re-prioritise.

While I welcome the decision of David Brown (Go-Ahead’s Chief Exec) to turn down any bonus or pay rise, a gesture is not enough. Southern’s passengers need effective action that will bring their service back to an acceptable level.